UPSC Prelims 2006 · General Studies

Question 21: Geography

Assertion (A): The percentage of net sown area in the total area of Andhra Pradesh is less as compared to that of West Bengal. Reason (R): The soil of most of Andhra Pradesh is laterite.

aBoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

bBoth A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A

cA is true but R is false

dA is false but R is true

AnswerThe answer is (c).

West Bengal has one of India's highest shares of net sown area, about 60 per cent, thanks to fertile alluvial plains. Andhra Pradesh has a lower share, since much of it is hilly or dry, so A is true. The Reason is false: most of Andhra Pradesh has red soil, with black soil and coastal alluvium too, and laterite covers only small patches. R is wrong and cannot explain A.

A. Andhra Pradesh has a smaller share of net sown area than West Bengal.
R. Most of Andhra Pradesh has red soil, not laterite.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (d) goes. Then judge the second statement; if it is correct too, decide whether it explains the first.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) R is false, so it cannot explain A.
(b) R is false, so this is wrong.
(c) Correct: A is true, R is false (red soils dominate Andhra Pradesh).
(d) A is true, not false.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious question Next question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2006, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.